William "Bill" Nichols

He was born on September 12, 1925, in Cranford, NJ, son of the late Alfred and Meta (Huner) Nichols. He was raised and educated in Brooklyn, Queens, and New York, NY.

Following high school, Bill answered the call to serve his country in the Merchant Marines with courage and fortitude in June of 1943. He was extremely proud of his military dedication as an Able Bodied Seaman. Bill saw the world through participation in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Pacific War Zones. In June of 1946, Bill was honorably discharged and blessed to come back home to American soil.

On Jun 28, 1947, Bill married the love of his life, Marilyn Chmela. They celebrated many years together in New York and later New Hampshire before her passing in 2016.

Bill spent his whole civilian career working for the NY Telephone Company (Verizon). After 37 years of employment, Bill retired in 1983 as a business sales manager.

Bill was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and was dedicated to the American Merchant Marine Veterans Member-At-Large Chapter. He enjoyed the simple pleasures in life such as spending time with family, quiet moments reading the newspaper, puttering around the yard, and watching baseball.

Bill will be deeply missed by his family, including his daughter: Joan A. (Nichols) DeVault and her husband Larry; grandchildren: Jennifer L. (Frank) Alexander and her husband Greg, Emma C. (DeVault) Kobeski and her husband Adam, and William G. DeVault and his wife Katarina; grandchildren: Owen and Carter DeCoste, Julia and Stella Kobeski, and Grahm DeVault.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, May 9, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene, NH. A graveside service will take place at Calverton National Cemetery on Long Island, 210 Princeton Boulevard, Calverton, NY, on Friday, May 10th at 2:00.

For those wishing to make a memorial donation in William Nicholas’ name, family requests honoring him with a gift to Home Healthcare and Hospice who provided impeccable care to Bill throughout his last days: PO Box 564, Keene, NH 03431 (www.HCSServices.org).